Govt. should strike a deal for Mallya's return: JD (U)

New Delhi [India], June 13 (ANI): Retorting to the claims of absconding loan defaulter Vijay Mallya, Janata Dal (United) on Tuesday said that the embattled liquor baron will not return to India until he wishes to.

JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav said until the government strikes a deal with Mallya there are no signs of his return.

"Vijay Mallya is not coming back. He will come back when he wants. If the government strikes some deal with him then he might come else he will never return," said Yadav.

Meanwhile, Communist Party of India (CPI) said if Mallya has enough evidence with him he should return and face the law in India.

"India is a country which believes in rule of law. Why is he living as a fugitive in London? He can come back and face the law," said CPI leader D. Raja.

"Now the government of India should take up this issue with the British Government and convince the British Government that he is a fugitive and he must face law in the country and that he must be sent back," he added.

Mallya has categorically denied all allegations of being a defaulter of banks back in India and said he had evidence to prove it in any court.

Speaking to media here ahead of his extradition hearing in a London court, Mallya said, "I deny all allegations, I have enough evidence to prove my case in court."

Mallya arrived at the Westminster Magistrates' Court in London in the company of his son Siddarth.

"I have nothing to say, I deny all allegations. I have not eluded any court," he added.

Britain's Crown Prosecution Service will argue the extradition case on India's behalf. A joint CBI-ED team went to London last month with documents to bolster the Crown's case

Mallya owes as much as Rs. 9,000 crore to Indian banks. He was declared arrested in absentia on April 18 after India made a formal extradition request for him on February 8.

The 61-year-old chief of the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines fled India on March 2 last year, has been living in Britain, mostly, since then.

He has been accused of "dual criminality" - of cheating and money laundering.

"Our aim is to build a strong, infallible case and these meetings will help resolve issues across the table.

The fugitive businessman was in the news this week after he was heckled by cricket fans who chanted "chor, chor" (thief, thief) as he arrived to watch the India-South Africa Champions Trophy match at The Oval grounds in London.

Last week, he brazenly said on Twitter that he plans to attend all matches India plays in the ongoing Champions Trophy.

Mallya also made an appearance at a June 5 fundraising dinner in London held by Indian skipper Virat Kohli who had reportedly not invited him. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI